Easing the Pain

Researchers in a Boston Hospital have recently successfully demonstrated the use of new therapy to enhance the lives of children diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. Samantha Spencer, M.D., a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Boston Children’s Hospital developed the idea that is a seemingly simple, yet very effective solution to the problem. Children with osteogenesis imperfecta suffer from very brittle bones and constant fractures and breaks because of a genetic disorder resulting in mutation of the gene that regulates production of collagen. These children are then forced to endure constant surgeries throughout their childhood, including being forced to live a "sheltered" existence. Current practice for treating this disorder involves insertion of metal rods and pins into bones, basically building a scaffolding for the children to ensure that no major breaks occur. However, massive problems arise due to the children's continual growth. This requires many surgeries to remove and replace the rods with those fitting the bone mold of the children, often with the rods being un-ideal as they have no plasticity (they are completely rigid).

Samantha Spencer, M.D., developed telescoping rods to be inserted within children. These rods do contain plasticity as they are rigidly connected to the bones, however, they have the ability to vary, particularly extending along with the natural bone growth experienced by children. These rods vastly reduce the number of surgeries required by these children, which greatly augments their lives and their ability to fight the illness, as they are able to build up some muscle from prolonged activity, rather than being constantly bed-ridden. Dr. Spencer remarks "They cost about one thousand dollars, but since they lower the need for additional surgeries it can save money in the long run". 

This article was particularly relevant to our class because of the fact that we learned about the disease through student lectures. I believe this should be particularly noted because it somewhat demonstrates occam's razor, in the fact that rather than seeking to cure the disease with gene therapy ("a magic bullet"), we should sometimes analyze our current technologies and find much simpler, efficient solutions.

http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=29163